I've been wanting to get a wireless remote / intervalometer for some time now. Problem is, it's going wireless it's two pieces of gear to carry in the kit.

So I was googling today, looking for some homebrew SX30is and D70 remotes, and came across something.

He has built his own bluetooth controller for his 1000D and coded an app for Android. The parts are cheap, it's relatively easy to build, and best of all...it offers full control of aperture, shutter, wb, etc. As well as having an intervalometer coded in.

Maybe. He's got "Video Mode" listed as an upcoming feature. I don't see how he's gonna do that without having his 1000D/XS tethered to a computer, since that's the only way to record video with it. But he's got HDR Bracketing and Bracketed intervalometer listed as upcoming. Those sound interesting.

Aaron D wrote:
Maybe. He's got "Video Mode" listed as an upcoming feature. I don't see how he's gonna do that without having his 1000D/XS tethered to a computer, since that's the only way to record video with it. But he's got HDR Bracketing and Bracketed intervalometer listed as upcoming. Those sound interesting.

I can see "Zero to Infinity DOF HDR" can be done by this device and simple application sw on the pods media.

This looks interesting. I've also come across a couple of apps (free) to allow a DSLR to be controlled via IR remote. You may be saying, "but most Android phones don't have an IR transmitter." You would be correct. Also, my 1000D doesn't have an IR receiver in it.

Well, come to find out, a very simple, and cheap, IR transmitter can be built that plugs into the headset / headphone jack on the phone. But some phones don't output enough voltage through this jack to drive the IR LEDs properly. In that case, a wired remote can be made that uses the headset jack.

This site - http://bitshift.bi.funpic.de/ , has schematics and instructions for 4 different types (2 wireless IR, and 2 wired) of adapters. The wired versions don't used the USB jack on the camera, they actually connect to the appropriate remote jack on the body.

I think I'm going to have to build one of the wired versions, and get the appropriate USB cable, and test these two different types of apps to see what works best. Now, if only I can find some detailed instructions on building an IR receiver for my camera.

Richard Nye wrote:
I wonder if you can use the Android for GPS also?. Send the GPS coordinates via bluetooth to the camera. Hmmm.

Not sure. Interesting question.

CW100 wrote:
I saw this on the POTN forum, it doesn't seem to work on some older Android phones and it requires a special cable but it's an interesting app

True, it may not as it requires the phones USB jack to be able to be used as a host. Now if the phone is rooted (which mine is), the possibility is a little higher that it will work.

But rooting a phone can be a hassle. Especially for someone that isn't real computer saavy. So let's say that you can't go that route. Or, for whatever reason you can't use the audio mini jack route that I posted in my last reply. There is one other option that I came across late last night. It uses the phones built in LED / flash and a single photo transistor, wired to a cable with a 2.5mm plug, to trigger the camera via it's standard remote jack. It's been tested working on a 450D - http://www.strickling.net/android_engl.htm#CameraTimer

Also check out some of the other apps on that guys page. Some good looking stuff for the astro-photog type of person.

I was going to build one of these listed on this page, but I ordered a focusing screen for my 1000D/XS today, instead, since I need it more. My DIY remote will have to wait until after Christmas after all.

Out of curiosity, would anybody be interested in any of these? I may consider building some of these to order if there's any interest. I will NOT be able to build any of the wireless IR versions though, since I won't be able to test it.